"Really, it's going to be about me leaving
home."
Read what Gilbert has to say about who he is and where he comes from.
My name is Gilberto Perales, but people call me
Gilbert. I am a senior at Edcouch-Elsa High School. I was born on
January 11, 1985 to my mom Sylvia Gonzales. I grew up with only my
mom - my mother raised me, my older sister and my older brother. It
was difficult for me growing up because we didn't have all the resources
we needed. But it would take a novel to recount the whole story. My
dream is to go to college in the northeast and some day become a senator.
My mother toiled endlessly for us and worked many
jobs. There was a point where I was embarrassed to admit I grew up
in those kinds of conditions and without a dad. Eventually I was proud
of my mom and I became confident and ready for the world. My mom got
married to my step dad, Juan Gonzales. We moved to Edcouch-Elsa. They
had my baby brother, who is now 7. I really was excited because it
was a clean, fresh, new start. At the high school, I became involved
in the Llano Grande Center.
I am currently employed at the center and I consider myself an integral
part of it. My title is documentarian. I shoot video and edit all
that good stuff. I am preparing to go to college in the Fall 2003. |